Monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability

ABSTRACT

A monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capabilities which includes telescoping members contained within the pencil and a monopolar electrosurgery blade assembly with a non-conductive tube member for an inert gas.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of, and claims priority to, utilitypatent application having Ser. No. 15/450,011 filed Mar. 5, 2017, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,792,095, entitled “Monopolar Telescopic ElectrosurgeryPencil With Argon Beam Capability” which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety. This application is also related to patentapplication having Ser. No. 15/147,730, filed May 5, 2016, andprovisional patent application having Ser. No. 62/362,968, filed Jul.15, 2016, which are also herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to electrosurgery bladesincluding electrosurgery blades having argon beam capability. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a monopolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability which includes ahandpiece member with a channel having first and second ends, a firstnon-conductive hollow tube contained within the channel and a conductivehollow tube contained within the channel, a hollow telescopic memberhaving first and second ends where the second end of the hollowtelescopic member is contained within the handpiece member, a secondnon-conductive hollow tube telescopically engaged with the firstnon-conductive hollow tube where the second non-conductive hollow tubeis contained within the hollow telescopic member, a solid conductivecylindrical member contained within the hollow telescopic member and atleast a portion of the conductive hollow tube, and an electrosurgeryblade assembly positioned within the first end of the hollow telescopicmember which includes a non-conductive planar member having opposingplanar sides with opposing elongated edges and a sharp cutting end, aconductive layer located on at least one of the opposing planar sideswhere the conductive layer lies adjacent to at least one of the opposingelongated edges of the non-conductive planar member, and anon-conductive tube member having a hollow tubular shaped opening and aslot where the slot is positioned over at least a portion of theconductive layer and the second non-conductive hollow tube is connectedto the non-conductive tube member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical electrosurgical pencils use an electrode blade which functionsas an active electrode for use in performing cutting and coagulationduring electrosurgery and a return electrode usually comprising anadhesive for attachment to a patient's skin. When the electrosurgerypencil is activated, the RF energy circulates from the active electrodeto the return electrode through the patient's body with the distancebetween the active and return electrodes being fairly significant.Electrosurgery uses a RF generator and handpiece with an electrode toprovide high frequency, alternating radio frequency (RF) current inputat various voltages (2000-10,000V) depending on the function, namelycoagulation vs. cutting. For cutting, heat generated from continuous RFhigh voltage conduction can create a vapor pocket which vaporizes andexplodes a small section of tissue cells which results in an incision.Because of the heat generated, the lateral damage to the tissue is greatand the possible necrosis of the tissue is high. For coagulation,voltage is usually lower than in cut mode and the slower heating processresults in less heat. As a result, no vapor pocket is formed so thetissue for the most part remains intact but with cells and vesselsdestroyed and sealed at the point of contact.

It is also common to use argon beam coagulators during electrosurgery.In argon beam coagulation (ABC), plasma is applied to tissue by adirected beam of ionized argon gas (plasma) which causes a uniform andshallow coagulation surface thereby stopping blood loss. However, argonbeam enhanced cutting may also be performed using application of anionized argon gas.

At present, electrosurgery is often the best method for cutting andargon beam coagulation is often the best method for cessation ofbleeding during surgery. Surgeons typically need to switch between argonbeam coagulation and electrosurgery modes depending on what is happeningduring the surgery and what they need to achieve at a particular pointin the surgery such as cutting, or making incisions in tissue, orstopping the bleeding at the surgical site.

However, since surgical tools and devices currently available tosurgeons require switching between these two methods during the surgicalprocedure, there is a need for a surgical device or tool that enables asurgeon or user to utilize the best methods used for cutting andcessation of bleeding at the surgical site at the same time, orsimultaneously, in addition to being able to use them separately. Amonopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capabilityhaving an electrosurgery blade with a sharp edge for cutting and RF andargon beam capability for capsulation would meet this need. Themonopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil described with reference tothe present invention enables a user or surgeon to more easily andefficiently access the surgical site with enhanced viewing capability byextending the telescopic member of the pencil as well as theelectrosurgery blade positioned within the telescopic member of thepencil. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil described withreference to the present invention also enables a user or surgeon toevacuate smoke and/or debris form the surgical site while being able toperform precise cutting at the surgical site as well as cutting andcoagulation of tissue areas located at the surgical site.

Such a surgical device or tool would enable the surgeon or user toincrease both the efficiency and accuracy of the surgery by enabling thesurgeon or user to perform both tissue cutting and coagulation at thesame time without switching between modes or methods thereby decreasingoperating time and reducing or eliminating the lateral damage to thetissue. In addition, performing both tissue cutting and coagulation atthe same time along with smoke evacuation would protect the surgeon andstaff form inhaling smoke and particles and also enable the surgeon oruser to more clearly view the surgical site to ensure accuracy duringthe procedure without the need to stop and switch modes in order to stopbleeding at the surgery site before being able to clearly see thesurgical site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a monopolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability which includes ahandpiece member with a channel having first and second ends, a firstnon-conductive hollow tube contained within the channel, a conductivehollow tube contained within the channel, a hollow telescopic memberhaving first and second ends where the second end of the hollowtelescopic member is contained within the handpiece member, a secondnon-conductive hollow tube telescopically engaged with the firstnon-conductive hollow tube wherein the second non-conductive hollow tubeis contained within the hollow telescopic member, a solid conductivecylindrical member contained within the hollow telescopic member and atleast a portion of the conductive hollow tube, and an electrosurgeryblade assembly positioned within the first end of the hollow telescopicmember which includes a non-conductive planar member having opposingplanar sides with opposing elongated edges and a sharp cutting end, aconductive layer located on at least one of the opposing planar sideswhere the conductive layer lies adjacent to at least one of the opposingelongated edges of the non-conductive planar member, and anon-conductive tube member having a hollow tubular shaped opening and aslot where the slot is positioned over at least a portion of theconductive layer of the electrosurgery blade assembly and the secondnon-conductive hollow tube within the hollow telescopic member isconnected to the non-conductive tube member of the electrosurgery bladeassembly.

The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present inventionmay also include at least one support member for retaining the firstnon-conductive hollow tube and the conductive hollow tube within thechannel of the handpiece member and at least one support member forretaining the second non-conductive hollow tube and the solid conductivecylindrical member within the hollow telescopic member. The monopolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil may also include a rotating memberconnected to the second end of the handpiece member. Further, theconductive hollow tube contained within the channel of the handpiecemember may have an insulator covering its outer surface.

The conductive layer of the electrosurgery blade assembly in themonopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention mayform a closed loop shaped portion located on one or more of the opposingplanar sides of the non-conductive planar member. Further, where closedloop portions of the conductive layer are located on both oppositeplanar sides of the non-conductive planar member, they may further coverat least a portion of one of the opposing elongate planar sides of thenon-conductive planar member so that the two closed loop portions onopposite sides of the non-conductive planar member are joined together.

The slot in the non-conductive tube member of the electrosurgery bladeassembly may also be positioned over at least a portion of thenon-conductive planar member and the hollow tubular shaped opening ofthe non-conductive tube member is preferably positioned so that an inertgas supplied through the hollow tubular shaped opening of thenon-conductive tube member will come in contact with at least a portionof the conductive layer of the electrosurgery blade assembly. Thenon-conductive tube member of the electrosurgery blade assembly maycomprise a ceramic and at least a portion of the non-conductive tubemember may be positioned outside of the first end of the hollowtelescopic member. In addition, the non-conductive planar member of theelectrosurgery blade assembly may also comprise a ceramic.

In another exemplary embodiment, the monopolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil with argon beam capability of the present invention may include ahandpiece member with a channel having first and second ends, a firstnon-conductive hollow tube contained within the channel, a hollowtelescopic member having first and second ends with the second endcontained within the handpiece member, a second non-conductive hollowtube telescopically engaged with the first non-conductive hollow tubewith the second non-conductive hollow tube contained within the hollowtelescopic member, and an electrosurgery blade assembly positionedwithin the first end of the hollow telescopic member which includes anon-conductive planar member having opposing planar sides with opposingelongated edges and a sharp cutting end, a conductive layer located onat least one of the opposing planar sides where the conductive layerlies adjacent to at least one of the opposing elongated edges of thenon-conductive planar member, and a non-conductive tube member having ahollow tubular shaped opening and a slot where the slot is positionedover at least a portion of the conductive layer of the electrosurgeryblade assembly and the second non-conductive hollow tube is connected tothe non-conductive tube member. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil with argon beam capability may also include at least one supportmember for retaining the first non-conductive hollow tube within thechannel of the handpiece member and at least one support member forretaining the second non-conductive hollow tube within the telescopicmember. Further, the conductive layer of the electrosurgery bladeassembly preferably covers at least a portion of at least one of theopposing elongated edges of the non-conductive planar member so that aninert gas supplied through the hollow tubular shaped opening of thenon-conductive tube member will come into contact with at least aportion of the conductive layer.

Still another embodiment of the invention is directed to a monopolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil without argon beam capability whichincludes a handpiece member with a channel having first and second ends,a hollow telescopic member having first and second ends where the secondend is contained in the handpiece member, an electrosurgery bladepositioned within the first end of the hollow telescopic member whichincludes a non-conductive planar member having opposite planar sideswith opposing elongated edges and a cutting tip, and a conductive layerlocated on at least one of the opposing planar sides where theconductive layer lies adjacent to at least one of the opposing elongatededges of the non-conductive planar member without covering at least aportion of the opposing planar side that lies adjacent to the cuttingtip, and a support member for retaining the electrosurgery blade withinthe hollow telescopic member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe appended drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of themonopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability ofthe present invention which shows the telescopic member disconnectedfrom the handpiece member of the electrosurgery pencil and the interiorelements of the electrosurgery pencil;

FIG. 2 is the same as the view shown in FIG. 1 but with the monopolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability shownrotated 180 degrees;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a second exemplaryembodiment of the monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argonbeam capability of the present invention which shows the telescopicmember disconnected from the handpiece member of the electrosurgerypencil and the interior elements of the electrosurgery pencil;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of themonopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability ofthe present invention which shows the telescopic member disconnectedfrom the handpiece member of the electrosurgery pencil and the interiorelements of the electrosurgery pencil;

FIG. 5 is the same as the view shown in FIG. 4 but with the monopolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability shownrotated 180 degrees;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of a fourth exemplary embodiment ofthe monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability of the present invention which shows the telescopic memberdisconnected from the handpiece member of the electrosurgery pencil andthe interior elements of the electrosurgery pencil;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a monopolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil without argon beam capability whichshows the telescopic member disconnected from the handpiece member ofthe electrosurgery pencil and the interior elements of theelectrosurgery pencil;

FIG. 8 is the same as the view shown in FIG. 7 but with the monopolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil without argon beam capability shownrotated 180 degrees; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencilwith argon beam capability enable a user or surgeon to separately use asharp edged electrode for cutting and/or coagulation, separately use anargon beam for cutting and/or coagulation, or simultaneously use a sharpedged electrode and an argon beam for cutting and/or coagulation. Anexemplary embodiment of a monpolar telescopic electrosurgery pencilwithout argon beam capability is also presented which enables a user orsurgeon to cut and/or coagulate tissue.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of a first exemplary embodiment ofthe monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability 10 of the present invention which shows the telescopic member20 disconnected from the handpiece member 12 of the electrosurgerypencil and the interior elements of the electrosurgery pencil 10.Monopolar electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability 10 includes ahandpiece member 12 with a channel 14 having first end 16 and second end18 and a hollow telescopic member 20 having a first end 22 and a secondend 24 where the second end 24 of the hollow telescopic member 20 isinserted into the first end 16 of handpiece member 12 so that it iscontained within handpiece member 12 when the pencil 10 is in use. Inorder to make the monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argonbeam capability 10 telescopic, a first non-conductive hollow tube member26 and a conductive hollow tube member 28 are located within thehandpiece member 12 and a second non-conductive hollow tube 30 and asolid conductive cylindrical member 32 are located in the hollowtelescopic member 20 so that the first non-conductive hollow tube member26 can telescopically engage with second non-conductive hollow tubemember 30 and conductive hollow tube member 26 can telescopically engagewith solid conductive cylindrical member 32. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the second non-conductive hollow tube 30 has a smallerdiameter than the first non-conductive hollow tube 26 and fits withinfirst non-conductive hollow tube 26 such that it is in slidableengagement with first non-conductive hollow tube 26. Further, solidconductive cylindrical member 32 has a smaller diameter than conductivehollow tube 28 and fits within conductive tube 28 such that it is inslidable engagement with conductive hollow tube 28.

The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability 10 also includes an electrosurgery blade assembly like thoseshown and described in Ser. No. 15/147,730, which is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety. Turning back to FIG. 1, monopolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability 10 includesan electrosurgery blade assembly 34 positioned within the first end 22of hollow telescopic member 20 that includes a non-conductive planarmember 36 having opposing planar sides 38 with opposing elongated edges40 and a sharp cutting end/tip 42, a conductive layer 44 located on atleast one side of the opposing planar sides 38 with the conductive layer44 lying adjacent to at least one of the opposing elongated edges 40 ofthe non-conductive planar member 36, and a non-conductive tube member 46having a hollow tubular shaped opening 48 and a slot 50 where the slot50 is positioned over at least a portion of the conductive layer 44 andthe second non-conductive hollow tube 30 is connected to thenon-conductive tube member 46. The electrosurgery blade assembly 34 isthe same as the electrosurgery blade assembly 134 shown in FIG. 3 andtherefore the components of the electrosurgery blade 34 can be betterseen in FIG. 3.

Monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability 10may also include at least one support member 52 for retaining firstnon-conductive hollow tube 26 and conductive hollow tube 28 within thechannel 14 of handpiece 12. Monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencilwith argon beam capability 10 may also include at least one supportmember 54 for retaining second non-conductive hollow tube 30 and solidconductive cylindrical member 32 within hollow telescopic member 20.Further, monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability 10 may also include a rotating member 56 connected to thesecond end 18 of handpiece member 12 to eliminate or reduce drag on theelectrosurgery pencil 10, as well as kinking of vacuum tubing (notshown) which is attached to the end of the pencil for smoke evacuation,while the electrosurgery pencil 10 is in use.

The hollow tubular shaped opening 48 in the non-conductive tube member46 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 34 is positioned such that aninert gas, such as argon gas, supplied through the hollow tubular shapedopening 48 will come in contact with at least a portion of theconductive layer 44 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 34. In additionto being positioned over at least a portion of the conductive layer 44,the slot 50 in the non-conductive tube member 46 may also be positionedover at least a portion the opposing planar sides 38 of thenon-conductive planar member 36. At least a portion of thenon-conductive tube member 46 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 34 ispreferably positioned outside of the first end 22 of the hollowtelescopic member 20.

The conductive layer 44 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 34 may forma closed loop shaped portion located on one or both opposite planarsides 38 of the non-conductive planar member 36. In addition, whenclosed loop shaped portions of conductive layer 44 are located on bothopposite planar sides 38 of non-conductive planar member 36, they mayalso cover a portion of the opposing elongated edges 40 ofnon-conductive planar member 36 so that the closed loop shaped portionsare joined over atop of the non-conductive planar member 36. Thenon-conductive planar member 36 and the non-conductive tube member 46 ofthe electrosurgery blade assembly 34 may comprise a ceramic material. Inaddition, the conductive hollow tube 28 within the handpiece member 12may have an insulator on its outer surface.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a second exemplaryembodiment of the monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argonbeam capability 100 of the present invention which shows the telescopicmember 120 disconnected from the handpiece member 112 of theelectrosurgery pencil and the interior elements of the electrosurgerypencil. Like the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, monopolarelectrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability 100 includes ahandpiece member 112 with a channel 114 having first end 116 and secondend 118 and a hollow telescopic member 120 having a first end 122 and asecond end 124 where the second end 124 of the hollow telescopic member120 is inserted into the first end 116 of handpiece member 112 so thatit is contained within handpiece member 112 when the pencil 110 is inuse. In order to make the monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencilwith argon beam capability 110 telescopic, a first non-conductive hollowtube member 126 and a conductive hollow tube member 128 are locatedwithin the handpiece member 112 and a second non-conductive hollow tube130 and a solid conductive cylindrical member 132 are located in thehollow telescopic member 120 so that the first non-conductive hollowtube member 126 can telescopically engage with second non-conductivehollow tube member 130 and conductive hollow tube member 126 cantelescopically engage with solid conductive cylindrical member 132.However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first non-conductivehollow tube 126 has a smaller diameter than the second non-conductivehollow tube 130 and fits within second non-conductive hollow tube 130such that it is in slidable engagement with second non-conductive hollowtube 130. Solid conductive cylindrical member 132 is the same as inFIGS. 1 and 2 and has a smaller diameter than conductive hollow tube 128and fits within conductive tube 128 such that it is in slidableengagement with conductive hollow tube 128.

The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability 100 also includes an electrosurgery blade assembly 134 likethat shown in FIGS. 1 AND 2. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil with argon beam capability 100 includes an electrosurgery bladeassembly 134 positioned within the first end 122 of hollow telescopicmember 120 that includes a non-conductive planar member 136 havingopposing planar sides 138 with opposing elongated edges 140 and a sharpcutting end/tip 142, a conductive layer 144 located on at least one sideof the opposing planar sides 138 with the conductive layer 144 lyingadjacent to at least one of the opposing elongated edges 140 of thenon-conductive planar member 136, and a non-conductive tube member 146having a hollow tubular shaped opening 148 and a slot 150 where the slot150 is positioned over at least a portion of the conductive layer 144and the second non-conductive hollow tube 130 is connected to thenon-conductive tube member 146.

The hollow tubular shaped opening 148 in the non-conductive tube member146 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 134 is positioned such that aninert gas, such as argon gas, supplied through the hollow tubular shapedopening 148 will come in contact with at least a portion of theconductive layer 144 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 134. Inaddition to being positioned over at least a portion of the conductivelayer 144, the slot 150 in the non-conductive tube member 146 may alsobe positioned over at least a portion the opposing planar sides 138 ofthe non-conductive planar member 136. At least a portion of thenon-conductive tube member 146 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 134is preferably positioned outside of the first end 122 of the hollowtelescopic member 120.

Like previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, theconductive layer 144 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 134 shown inFIG. 3 may form a closed loop shaped portion located on one or bothopposite planar sides 138 of the non-conductive planar member 136. Inaddition, when closed loop shaped portions of conductive layer 144 arelocated on both opposite planar sides 138 of non-conductive planarmember 136, they may also cover a portion of the opposing elongatededges 140 of non-conductive planar member 136 so that the closed loopshaped portions are joined over a top of the non-conductive planarmember 136. The non-conductive planar member 136 and the non-conductivetube member 146 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 134 may comprise aceramic material. In addition, the conductive hollow tube 128 within thehandpiece member 112 may have an insulator on its outer surface.

Monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability100 may also include at least one support member 152 for retaining firstnon-conductive hollow tube 126 and conductive hollow tube 128 within thechannel 114 of handpiece 112. Monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencilwith argon beam capability 100 may also include at least one supportmember 154 for retaining second non-conductive hollow tube 130 and solidconductive cylindrical member 132 within hollow telescopic member 120.Non-conductive tube member 146 of electrosurgery blade assembly 134 maybe seated in support member 154. Alternatively, second non-conductivehollow tube 130 may be seated in support member 154 so thatelectrosurgery blade assembly 134 forms a separate detachable unit thatcan be removed from support member 154 and reattached to support member154. Further, monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability 100 may also include a rotating member 156 connected to thesecond end 118 of handpiece member 112 to eliminate or reduce drag onthe electrosurgery pencil 100, as well as kinking of vacuum tubing (notshown) which is attached to the end of the pencil for smoke evacuation,while the electrosurgery pencil 100 is in use.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show perspective views of a third exemplary embodiment ofthe monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability 200 of the present invention which shows the telescopicmember 220 disconnected from the handpiece member 212 of theelectrosurgery pencil 200 and the interior elements of theelectrosurgery pencil 200. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil with argon beam capability 200 includes a handpiece member 212with a channel 214 having first and second ends 216, 218, a firstnon-conductive hollow tube 226 contained within the channel 214, ahollow telescopic member 220 having first and second ends 222, 224 withthe second end 224 contained within the handpiece member 212, a secondnon-conductive hollow tube 230 telescopically engaged with the firstnon-conductive hollow tube 226 with the second non-conductive hollowtube 230 contained within the hollow telescopic member 220, and anelectrosurgery blade assembly 234 positioned within the first end 222 ofthe hollow telescopic member 220 which includes a non-conductive planarmember 236 having opposing planar sides 238 with opposing elongatededges 240 and a sharp cutting end 242, a conductive layer 244 located onat least one of the opposing planar sides 238 where the conductive layer244 lies adjacent to at least one of the opposing elongated edges 240 ofthe non-conductive planar member 236, and a non-conductive tube member246 having a hollow tubular shaped opening 248 and a slot 250 where theslot 250 is positioned over at least a portion of the conductive layer244 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 234 and the secondnon-conductive hollow tube 230 is connected to the non-conductive tubemember 246. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argonbeam capability 200 may also include at least one support member 252 forretaining the first non-conductive hollow tube 226 within the channel214 of the handpiece member 212 and at least one support member 254 forretaining the second non-conductive hollow tube 230 within the hollowtelescopic member 220. Further, the conductive layer 244 of theelectrosurgery blade assembly 234 preferably covers at least a portionof at least one of the opposing elongated edges 240 of thenon-conductive planar member 236 so that an inert gas supplied throughthe hollow tubular shaped opening 248 of the non-conductive tube member246 will come into contact with at least a portion of the conductivelayer 244.

In addition to being positioned over at least a portion of theconductive layer 244, the slot 250 in the non-conductive tube member 246may also be positioned over at least a portion the opposing planar sides238 of the non-conductive planar member 236. At least a portion of thenon-conductive tube member 246 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 234is preferably positioned outside of the first end 222 of the hollowtelescopic member 220. The conductive layer 244 of the electrosurgeryblade assembly 234 may form a closed loop shaped portion located on oneor both opposite planar sides 238 of the non-conductive planar member236. In addition, when closed loop shaped portions of conductive layer244 are located on both opposite planar sides 238 of non-conductiveplanar member 236, they may also cover a portion of the opposingelongated edges 240 of non-conductive planar member 236 so that theclosed loop shaped portions are joined over a top of the non-conductiveplanar member 236. The non-conductive planar member 236 and thenon-conductive tube member 46 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 234may comprise a ceramic material.

In order to make the monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil withargon beam capability 200 telescopic, the second end 224 of the hollowtelescopic member 220 is inserted into the first end 216 of handpiecemember 212 so that it is contained within handpiece member 212 when thepencil 210 is in use. Further, first non-conductive hollow tube member226 is located within handpiece member 212 and second non-conductivehollow tube 230 is located in hollow telescopic member 220 so that thefirst non-conductive hollow tube member 226 can telescopically engagewith second non-conductive hollow tube member 230. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 4 and 4, the second non-conductive hollow tube 230 has asmaller diameter than the first non-conductive hollow tube 226 and fitswithin first non-conductive hollow tube 226 such that it is in slidableengagement with first non-conductive hollow tube 226.

Monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability200 may also include a rotating member 256 connected to the second end218 of handpiece member 212 to eliminate or reduce drag on theelectrosurgery pencil 200, as well as kinking of vacuum tubing (notshown) which is attached to the end of the pencil for smoke evacuation,while the electrosurgery pencil 200 is in use.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of a fourth exemplary embodiment ofthe monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability 300 of the present invention which shows the telescopicmember 320 disconnected from the handpiece member 312 of theelectrosurgery pencil 300 and the interior elements of theelectrosurgery pencil 300. Like the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,monopolar electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability 300 includesa handpiece member 312 with a channel 314 having first end 316 andsecond end 318 and a hollow telescopic member 320 having a first end 322and a second end 324 where the second end 324 of the hollow telescopicmember 320 is inserted into the first end 316 of handpiece member 312 sothat it is contained within handpiece member 312 when the pencil 300 isin use. In order to make the monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencilwith argon beam capability 300 telescopic, a first non-conductive hollowtube member 326 is located within the handpiece member 312 and a secondnon-conductive hollow tube 330 is located in the hollow telescopicmember 320 so that the first non-conductive hollow tube member 326 cantelescopically engage with second non-conductive hollow tube member 330.However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first non-conductivehollow tube 326 has a smaller diameter than the second non-conductivehollow tube 330 and fits within second non-conductive hollow tube 330such that it is in slidable engagement with second non-conductive hollowtube 330.

The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability 300 also includes an electrosurgery blade assembly 334 likethat shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil with argon beam capability 300 includes an electrosurgery bladeassembly 334 positioned within the first end 322 of hollow telescopicmember 320 that includes a non-conductive planar member 336 havingopposing planar sides 338 with opposing elongated edges 340 and a sharpcutting end/tip 342, a conductive layer 344 located on at least one sideof the opposing planar sides 338 with the conductive layer 344 lyingadjacent to at least one of the opposing elongated edges 340 of thenon-conductive planar member 336, and a non-conductive tube member 346having a hollow tubular shaped opening 348 and a slot 350 where the slot350 is positioned over at least a portion of the conductive layer 344and the second non-conductive hollow tube 330 is connected to thenon-conductive tube member 346.

The hollow tubular shaped opening 348 in the non-conductive tube member346 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 334 is positioned such that aninert gas, such as argon gas, supplied through the hollow tubular shapedopening 348 will come in contact with at least a portion of theconductive layer 344 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 334. Inaddition to being positioned over at least a portion of the conductivelayer 344, the slot 350 in the non-conductive tube member 346 may alsobe positioned over at least a portion the opposing planar sides 338 ofthe non-conductive planar member 336. At least a portion of thenon-conductive tube member 346 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 334is preferably positioned outside of the first end 322 of the hollowtelescopic member 320.

Like previously described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, theconductive layer 344 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 334 shown inFIG. 6 may form a closed loop shaped portion located on one or bothopposite planar sides 338 of the non-conductive planar member 336. Inaddition, when closed loop shaped portions of conductive layer 344 arelocated on both opposite planar sides 338 of non-conductive planarmember 336, they may also cover a portion of the opposing elongatededges 340 of non-conductive planar member 336 so that the closed loopshaped portions are joined over a top of the non-conductive planarmember 336. The non-conductive planar member 336 and the non-conductivetube member 346 of the electrosurgery blade assembly 334 may comprise aceramic material. In addition, the conductive hollow tube 328 within thehandpiece member 312 may have an insulator on its outer surface.

Monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability300 may also include at least one support member 352 for retaining firstnon-conductive hollow tube 326 within the channel 314 of handpiece 312.Monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability300 may also include at least one support member 354 for retainingsecond non-conductive hollow tube 330 within hollow telescopic member320. Non-conductive tube member 346 of electrosurgery blade assembly 334may be seated in support member 354. Alternatively, secondnon-conductive hollow tube 330 may be seated in support member 354 sothat electrosurgery blade assembly 334 forms a separate detachable unitthat can be removed from support member 354 and reattached to supportmember 354. Further, monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil withargon beam capability 300 may also include a rotating member 356connected to the second end 318 of handpiece member 312 to eliminate orreduce drag on the electrosurgery pencil 300, as well as kinking ofvacuum tubing (not shown) which is attached to the end of the pencil forsmoke evacuation, while the electrosurgery pencil 300 is in use.

As can be seen in previously described FIGS. 1-6, the hollow tubularshaped opening 48, 148, 248, 348 of non-conductive tube member 46, 146,246, 346 enables an inert gas, such as argon gas, to pass throughnon-conductive tube member 46, 146, 246, 346 and over at least a portionof the conductive layer 44, 144, 244, 344 to create an ionized gas(plasma) when the electrode comes into contact with the body/patientthereby creating a closed circuit with a return electrode attached tothe body/patient which enables argon beam cutting and/or coagulationwith the electrosurgery blade assembly 34, 134, 234, 334.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a monopolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil 400 without argon beam capability whichshows the telescopic member 420 disconnected from the handpiece member412 of the electrosurgery pencil 400 and the interior elements of theelectrosurgery pencil 400. FIG. 8 is the same as the view shown in FIG.7 but with the monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 400 shownrotated 180 degrees and FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 7.

Monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 400 without argon beamcapability includes a handpiece member 412 with a channel 414 havingfirst and second ends 416, 418, a hollow telescopic member 420 havingfirst and second ends 422, 426 where the second end 424 is contained inthe handpiece member 412, an electrosurgery blade 433 positioned withinthe first end 422 of the hollow telescopic member 420 which includes anon-conductive planar member 436 having opposite planar sides 438 withopposing elongated edges 440 and a cutting tip 442, and a conductivelayer 444 located on at least one of the opposing planar sides 438 wherethe conductive layer 444 lies adjacent to at least one of the opposingelongated edges 440 of the non-conductive planar member 436 withoutcovering at least a portion of the opposing planar side 438 that liesadjacent to the cutting tip 442, and a support member 454 for retainingthe electrosurgery blade 433 within the hollow telescopic member 420.

In order to make the monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 400telescopic, the second end 424 of the hollow telescopic member 420 isinserted into the first end 416 of handpiece member 412 so that it iscontained within handpiece member 412 when the pencil 210 is in use.

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the inventionherein shows various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Theseexemplary embodiments and modes are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and are notintended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the following disclosure is intended toteach both the implementation of the exemplary embodiments and modes andany equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to thosereasonably skilled in the art. Additionally, all included examples arenon-limiting illustrations of the exemplary embodiments and modes, whichsimilarly avail themselves to any equivalent modes or embodiments thatare known or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art.

Other combinations and/or modifications of structures, arrangements,applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used inthe practice of the instant invention, in addition to those notspecifically recited, can be varied or otherwise particularly adapted tospecific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters,or other operating requirements without departing from the scope of theinstant invention and are intended to be included in this disclosure.

Unless specifically noted, it is the Applicant's intent that the wordsand phrases in the specification and the claims be given the commonlyaccepted generic meaning or an ordinary and accustomed meaning used bythose of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. In the instance wherethese meanings differ, the words and phrases in the specification andthe claims should be given the broadest possible, generic meaning. Ifany other special meaning is intended for any word or phrase, thespecification will clearly state and define the special meaning.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability, comprising: a handpiece member with a channel having first and second ends; a first non-conductive hollow tube contained within the channel; a conductive hollow tube contained within the channel; a hollow telescopic member having first and second ends wherein the second end of the hollow telescopic member is contained within the handpiece member; a second non-conductive hollow tube telescopically engaged with the first non-conductive hollow tube wherein the second non-conductive hollow tube is contained within the hollow telescopic member; a solid conductive cylindrical member contained within the hollow telescopic member and at least a portion of the conductive hollow tube; and an electrosurgery blade assembly positioned within the first end of the hollow telescopic member wherein the electrosurgery blade assembly includes a non-conductive planar member having opposing planar sides with opposing elongated edges and a sharp cutting end, a conductive layer located on at least one side of the opposing planar sides wherein the conductive layer lies adjacent to at least one of the opposing elongated edges of the non-conductive planar member, and a non-conductive tube member having a hollow tubular shaped opening contained therein and a slot contained therein wherein the slot is positioned over at least a portion of the conductive layer and the second non-conductive hollow tube of the monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil is connected to the non-conductive tube member of the electrosurgery blade assembly.
 2. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein the slot in the non-conductive tube member is also positioned over at least a portion of the opposing planar sides of the non-conductive planar member of the electrosurgery blade assembly.
 3. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein the hollow tubular shaped opening of the non-conductive tube member is positioned such that an inert gas supplied through the hollow tubular shaped opening will come in contact with at least a portion of the conductive layer of the electrosurgery blade assembly.
 4. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 further comprising at least one support member for retaining the first non-conductive hollow tube and the conductive hollow tube within the channel of the handpiece member.
 5. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 further comprising at least one support member for retaining the second non-conductive hollow tube and the solid conductive cylindrical member within the hollow telescopic member.
 6. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 further comprising a rotating member connected to the second end of the handpiece member.
 7. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein the non-conductive tube member of the electrosurgery blade assembly comprises a ceramic.
 8. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein the non-conductive planar member of the electrosurgery blade assembly comprises a ceramic.
 9. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the non-conductive tube member of the electrosurgery blade assembly is positioned outside of the first end of the hollow telescopic member.
 10. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein the conductive hollow tube comprises an insulator on its outer surface.
 11. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein the conductive layer of the electrosurgery blade assembly forms a closed loop shaped portion located on one or more of the opposite planar sides of the non-conductive planar member.
 12. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 11 wherein the conductive layer is on both opposite planar sides of the non-conductive planar member and covers a portion of the opposing elongated edges of each of the opposite planar sides such that it joins the elongated closed loop portions located on each of the opposite planar sides.
 13. A monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability comprising: a handpiece member with a channel having first and second ends; a first non-conductive hollow tube contained within the channel; a conductive hollow tube contained within the channel; a hollow telescopic member having first and second ends wherein the second end of the hollow telescopic member is contained within the handpiece member; a second non-conductive hollow tube telescopically engaged with the first non-conductive hollow tube wherein the second non-conductive hollow tube is contained within the hollow telescopic member; a solid conductive cylindrical member telescopically engaged with the conductive hollow tube member wherein the solid conductive tube member is contained within the hollow telescopic member; and an electrosurgery blade assembly positioned within the first end of the hollow telescopic member wherein the electrosurgery blade assembly includes a non-conductive planar member having a sharp cutting end, a conductive layer located on the non-conductive planar member, and a non-conductive tube member having a hollow tubular shaped opening contained therein connected to the second non-conductive hollow tube of the monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil wherein the hollow tubular shaped opening is positioned over the non-conductive planar member such that an inert gas supplied through the hollow tubular shaped opening will come into contact with the conductive layer on the non-conductive planar member.
 14. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 13 wherein the diameter of the first non-conductive hollow tube is larger than the diameter of the second non-conductive hollow tube.
 15. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 14 wherein the diameter of the conductive hollow tube is larger than the diameter of the solid conductive cylindrical member.
 16. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 13 wherein the diameter of the first non-conductive hollow tube is smaller than the diameter of the second non-conductive hollow tube.
 17. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 13 further comprising at least one support member for retaining the first non-conductive hollow tube within the channel of the handpiece member.
 18. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 13 further comprising at least one support member for retaining the second non-conductive hollow tube within the telescopic member.
 19. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 13 wherein the conductive layer of the electrosurgery blade assembly covers at least a portion of an edge of the non-conductive planar member.
 20. The monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 13 wherein the diameter of the conductive hollow tube is larger than the diameter of the solid conductive cylindrical member. 